National League
Giants @ Pirates
Samardzija is 1-2, 5.32 in his last four starts; four of his last five starts went over.
Liriano is 0-4, 8.57 in his last four starts, four of which stayed under.
Giants are 19-7 in last 26 road games,under is 14-8 in last 22 Giant road games. Pirates lost 11 of last 13 games; over is 11-4 in their last 15 home games.
Braves @ Marlins
Wisler is 1-4, 6.83 in his last five starts; five of his last six went over.
Conley is 1-2, 4.91 in his last six starts; four of his last five stayed under.
Braves won their last six games; under is 10-2 in last 12 Atlanta road games. Miami won five of last eight games; under is 8-3 in their last eleven home games.
Cardinals @ Cubs
Wacha is 0-1, 1.84 in his last two starts; seven of his last eight went over.
Arrieta is 2-1, 1.80 in his last four starts, three of which stayed under.
Cardinals lost five of last seven games; six of their last seven games stayed under total. Chicago is 11-4 in its last 15 home games but lost last two (under 10-2 in last 12).
Nationals @ Dodgers
Ross is 3-0, 3.77 in his last three starts, last three of which went over.
Urias is 0-1, 1.88 in his last three starts, which all stayed under.
Washington lost its last four games; 10 of their last 13 road games went over the total. Dodgers won 13 of last 16 at home; under is 10-3 in their last 13 home games.
American League
Mariners @ Tigers
Iwakuma is 5-1, 4.39 in his last six starts (over 6-1 in last seven).
Fulmer is 5-1, 0.45 in his last six starts (over 7-3).
Mariners lost nine of last 11 road games; over is 8-5 in their last 13 road games. Tigers won seven of last eight home games; six of last nine Detroit games went over the total.
Rays @ Indians
Archer is 1-5, 6.14 in his last six starts; over is 5-3 in his last eight. .
Bauer is 1-0, 1.99 in his last three starts; six of his last eight starts stayed under.
Rays lost their last six games; over is 17-4-1 in last 22 Tampa road games. Cleveland won its last ten home games; under is 5-2-1 in their last eight home games
White Sox @ Red Sox
Quintana is 0-6, 3.86 in his last seven starts; his last 13 starts stayed under.
Rodriguez is 1-2, 6.97 in four starts, three of which stayed under.
Boston is 4-8 in last 12 home games; seven of its last nine home games stayed under. Chicago lost 13 of last 18 road games; five of their last six road games stayed under.
Angels @ Astros
Shoemaker is 1-2, 2.03 in his last six starts, five of which stayed under.
McCullers is 3-1, 3.34 in his last five starts; five of his last six stayed under. .
Angels lost seven of last nine road games; four of last five Angel games stayed under total. Houston won 11 of last 13 home games; under is 11-2 in Astros' last 13 games.
Interleague
Rockies @ Bronx
Gray is 3-1, 3.24 in his last five starts; over is 4-1-1 in his last six.
Sabathia is 4-2, 1.23 in his last seven starts; seven of his last eight starts went under. .
Rockies lost three of last four games; seven of their last nine road games stayed under. New York won three of last five games; under is 5-3-1 in their last nine at home. .
Padres @ Orioles
Johnson is 0-2, 8.44 in two starts for San Diego (over 1-1).
Jimenez is 1-4, 11.86 in his last six starts; his last seven starts went over.
Padres lost 10 of their last 13 road games; last six San Diego games went over the total. Baltimore won nine of last 12 home games; over is 9-5 in their last fourteen home games.
Diamondbacks @ Blue Jays
Ray is 2-0, 1.32 in his last two starts; over is 6-1-1 in his last eight.
Happ is 3-1, 3.66 in his last five starts; his last three starts went over.
Arizona won its last six road games; under is 8-1 in last nine Arizona road games. Toronto won nine of last 13 home games; seven of last ten Blue Jay games went over.
Royals @ Mets
Duffy is 2-1, 3.09 in his last four starts (under 4-3).
Syndergaard is 5-0, 1.97 in his last seven starts; his last four starts went over.
Royals won eight of last ten games; under is 7-2-1 in last ten KC road games. Mets lost eight of last 12 games; six of last eight New York home games stayed under.
Reds @ Rangers
Straily is 2-2, 4.88 in his last five starts; five of his last seven went over. .
Hamels is 2-0, 1.88 in his last four starts; six of his last eight starts went over.
Rangers are 23-7 in their last 30 games; four of last six Texas games stayed under total. Cincinnati lost four of last six games; over is 11-4 in their last 15 road games.
Phillies @ Twins
Morgan is 0-6, 8.35 in his last seven starts (over 6-1).
Gibson is 0-5, 6.68 in six starts this season (under 4-2).
Phillies lost their last eight games; over is 10-3 in last 13 Philly road games. Minnesota lost five of last seven games; over is 15-3 in Twins' last 18 home games.
Brewers @ A's
Guerra is 1-1, 4.81 in his last four starts (under 4-2-1 in his last seven). .
Mengden is 0-2, 3.00 in his first two MLB starts (under 2-0).
Milwaukee lost eight of last nine road games; over is 7-3-1 in their last 11 road games. Oakland lost 12 of last 16 games; under is 4-0-1 in A's last five games.
Teams won-lost records when this pitcher starts:
SF-Pitt-- Samardzija 9-5; Liriano 6-7
Atl-Mia-- Wisler 3-10; Conley 7-7
StL-Chi-- Wacha 6-8; Arrieta 12-2
Wsh-LA-- Ross 9-4; Urias 2-3
Sea-Det-- Iwakuma 8-6; Fulmer 8-2
Chi-Bos-- Quintana 6-8; Rodriguez 2-2
TB-Clev-- Archer 5-10; Bauer 5-5
LA-Hst-- Shoemaker 4-9; McCullers 4-3
Col-NYY-- Gray 5-6; Sabathia 6-5
SD-Balt-- Johnson 0-2/0-2; Jimenez 6-7
Az-Tor-- Ray 5-9; Happ 9-5
KC-NYM-- Duffy 5-2; Syndergaard 9-4
Cin-Tex-- Straily 6-6; Hamels 10-4
Phil-Minn-- Morgan 2-8; Gibson 1-5
Mil-A's-- Guerra 7-2; Mengden 0-2
Starting pitchers allowing 1+ runs in first inning:
SF-Pitt-- Samardzija 2-14; Liriano 4-13
Atl-Mia-- Wisler 7-13; Conley 5-14
StL-Chi-- Wacha 4-14; Arrieta 1-14
Wsh-LA-- Ross 3-13; Urias 1-5
Sea-Det-- Iwakuma 2-14; Fulmer 2-10
Chi-Bos-- Quintana 2-14; Rodriguez 1-4
TB-Clev-- Archer 7-15; Bauer 3-10
LA-Hst-- Shoemaker 3-13; McCullers 3-7
Col-NYY-- Gray 4-11; Sabathia 0-11
SD-Balt-- Johnson 2-4; Jimemez 5-13
Az-Tor-- Ray 2-14; Happ 4-14
KC-NYM-- Duffy 0-7; Syndergaard 9-4
Cin-Tex-- Straily 2-12; Hamels 3-14
Phil-Minn-- Morgan 4-10; Gibson 3-3
Mil-A's-- Guerra 2-9; Mengden 0-2
Umpires
Atl-Mia-- Over is 10-4 in last fourteen Cuzzi games.
SF-Pitt-- Last three Reynolds games stayed under.
StL-Chi-- Over is 6-0-1 in last seven Wolcott games.
Wsh-LA-- Underdogs are 10-8 in last 18 Nelson games.
Chi-Bos-- Six of last seven Estabrook games stayed under.
Sea-Det-- Eight of last ten Danley games went over total.
TB-Clev-- Nine of last ten TBarrett games went over.
LA-Hst-- Eight of last ten Cooper games stayed under.
Col-NYY-- Under is 3-1-1 in last five Diaz games.
KC-NYM-- Underdogs won last six Hirschbeck games.
Mil-A's-- Last four Kellogg games stayed under total.
Az-Tor-- Under is 5-2-1 in last eight Everitt games.
SD-Balt-- Over is 29-13-1 in Meals games since LY.
Cin-Tex-- Home side won seven of last nine Rackley games; two losses came in games of 13 and 17 innings.
Phil-Min-- Three of last four Torres games stayed under.
Armadillosports.com
MLB: Streak, Tips, Notes
Sportspic.com
Los Angeles Angels at Houston Astros
When Los Angeles Angels hand the ball to Matt Shoemaker in the finale vs Astros many in the sports gaming community will tend to overlook the righthander. That's because he has authored just three wins in thirteen starts with a 4.50 ERA. However, those digging deeper into performance will be quick to note, the past six on the mound Shoemaker has posted a impressive 1.83 ERA over 44 1/3 innings with an eye-opening 55-2 strike-walk-ratio. They'll also have noted, Shoemaker handcuffed Astros earlier tossing 8 1/3 innings fo 2 run ball in a win.
San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates
San Francisco and Pittsburgh play the third of a four-game series at PNC Park with both teams having notched one victory. Giants have Jeff Samardzija starting, carrying a 8-4 record, 3.14 ERA to the hill. In his last start, Samardzija allowed one run on four hits while striking out four to earn the win. Samardzija facing Pirates for the first time wearing a Giant uniform may not bring about much confidence among bettors, the righthander heads to the mound sporting a 0-7 team start record vs Pirates tossing for Cubbies/Pale Hose.
Pirates send out southpaw Francisco Liriano, who gave up six hits, four earned runs, five walks in a loss to the Cubs in his last outing. Nothing seems to be going right for the southpaw, he's lost four straight, six of his last seven starts overall bringing the mark to 4-7 with a 5.03 ERA on the campaign. He'll try to stop the bleeding vs a team he has had success against winning three of four chucking for Bucs.
According to the current betting odds at Sports Interaction the visiting Giants are listed as -$1.80 favorites.
Taking a road favorite can be a perilous road in baseball betting, but there appears to be enough in Giants favor to counteract such concerns. The Giants are hot, winning 9 of they're last 10 and 12 of 17 in June. The Pirates are not, losing 11 of the past 13 and 15 of 20 in the month of June. Additionally, Giants facing a lefthanded starter is good news, they're on a solid 9-2 stretch swinging away at a southpaw.
Wednesday's Diamond Notes
By Kevin Rogers
VegasInsider.com
Hottest team: Dodgers (7-3 last 10)
Following an 8-6 loss to the Brewers to begin their homestand, the Dodgers haven’t lost since by running off five consecutive victories. The last two wins came against the NL East-leading Nationals in low-scoring affairs, while Los Angeles’ pitching staff has given up a total of five runs. In four of the five victories during this hot streak, the Dodgers have allowed two runs or fewer. 19-year old Julio Urias owns an 0-2 record in five starts for the Dodgers, but tossed five scoreless innings in his last outing against Milwaukee as he faces Washington tonight going for the sweep.
Coldest team: Rays (3-7 last 10)
It’s been a bad week for Tampa Bay since grabbing the first two games of its series against Seattle. The Mariners won the final contest at Tropicana Field last Thursday, beginning a tailspin for the Rays. Tampa Bay got swept at home by red-hot San Francisco and has lost the first two games of its series at Cleveland. The Rays have been lit up in this stretch by allowing at least five runs in each of their last six losses, while getting blanked by the Tribe on Tuesday. Chris Archer heads to the mound tonight for the Rays looking to avoid the sweep, as Tampa Bay owns a 1-5 record in his past six starts.
Hottest pitcher: Cole Hamels, Rangers (7-1, 2.88 ERA)
Cincinnati snapped Texas’ seven-game winning streak last night with a 8-2 victory as Hamels tries to get the Rangers back on track this evening. Hamels is coming off a masterful performance in his last outing, scattering three hits in 7.2 scoreless innings of a 1-0 triumph at St. Louis as a short road underdog. Texas is 3-0 in Hamels’ last three starts (all as a ‘dog), as the southpaw has given up 11 hits and three earned runs in this stretch. However, the Rangers are 0-3 in his last three outings as a favorite, as Texas is a -210 favorite against Cincinnati tonight.
Coldest pitcher: Francisco Liriano, Pirates (4-7, 5.03 ERA)
Pittsburgh has dropped four straight starts made by Liriano, while scoring only five runs in this span. Liriano hasn’t been good in this stretch either by giving up 20 runs, including five home runs. Since posting a 3-1 record in his first four home starts, Liriano is winless in his last two outings at PNC Park. Last season, Liriano beat the Giants twice in two starts, including a 5-2 victory at PNC Park last August. It’s been a rough stretch overall for Pittsburgh, who has lost 11 of its past 13 contests.
Biggest UNDER run: Red Sox (5-1 last six)
Boston’s explosive offense has been shut down in the first two games of its series against Chicago, scoring just two runs in two losses. The Red Sox have finished ‘under’ the total in four consecutive home games, while Boston’s pitching has allowed nine runs in this stretch. In the last 11 games played at Fenway Park, the Red Sox are 8-3 to the ‘under,’ as Eduardo Rodriguez toes the rubber tonight. Rodriguez is 3-1 to the ‘under’ this season for the Red Sox, but the southpaw has given up 14 earned runs in three June starts.
Biggest OVER run: Twins (8-1 last nine)
Two of the worst teams in baseball played in one of the most thrilling games of the season on Tuesday as Minnesota outlasted Philadelphia, 14-10. Both teams rallied from deficits as the Twins pulled away to post their fourth straight ‘over,’ and move to 11-1-1 to the ‘over’ in the past 13 games at Target Field. Minnesota extended its streak to 20 consecutive games in which its pitching staff has allowed at least four runs, as Kyle Gibson takes the mound tonight looking to improve on an ERA of 6.06 in six starts.
Matchup to watch: Rockies vs. Yankees
Somehow, Colorado has had New York’s number this season by winning each of the first three matchups. The Rockies swept a two-game series at Coors Field last week, while taking the opener in the Bronx on Tuesday, 8-4 as a +145 underdog. The Yankees try to avoid another sweep this afternoon as they send out CC Sabathia to the mound. The southpaw has allowed six earned runs in his previous seven outings, but New York owns a 4-3 record in this stretch. Jon Gray counters for Colorado as the right-hander has delivered five straight quality starts, while striking out 33 batters over the last month.
Betcha didn’t know: Since rallying from a 10-run deficit at San Diego on June 2, the Mariners have limped to a 2-9 record on the road in the last 11 games. Seattle has dropped each of its first two games in its four-game set at Detroit, as Hisashi Iwakuma tries to stop the bleeding for the Mariners. The M’s bullpen won’t feel a lot of pressure tonight as Iwakuma has pitched seven innings in each of his last five outings.
Biggest public favorite: Cubs (-230) vs. Cardinals
Biggest public underdog: White Sox (+100) at Red Sox
Biggest line move: Mariners (+115 to +100) at Tigers
Dave's MLB Wednesday
By Dave Essler
Miami/Atlanta: My issue with Adam Conley is that his pitch counts have been up AND the Fish haven't been scoring. If Atlanta beat Fernandez, they can beat Conley - and in fact already have this season. Gant pitched well against the Mets, but again threw a lot of pitches, but since Miami hasn't seen him and their bullpen has been decent, I like the Braves F5 and the Fish for the game.
St. Louis/Chicago: Now the pendulum has swung the other way with the Cubs, especially after getting beat last night. Arrieta opened at -300 and CRIS has the Cubs now at -230. Since the Cardinals hit him in a 9-8 win earlier this season, I'd expect Arrieta to make the adjustments, and although Wacha has come around a bit, if it comes to who your trust, it has to be the Cubs -
Houston/Angels: Pujols is questionable this afternoon and obviously no Rasmus, who's on the DL. The Angels could be in regression mode (again) - but Shoemaker has really stepped it up the last handful of starts - which makes me lean under. A couple of high pitch count games for him, and the last time that happened the Yankees hit him pretty hard. McCullers almost always has control issues, but as a ground ball pitcher has been able to induce DP's and survive. Probably not enough of an edge here, without seeing lineups.
Rockies/Yankees: Most of you know I do like Gray to at least keep Colorado in this, and although CC has been lights out of late, his pitch counts the last three games have been VERY high. I like the under here a bit, too, at least the F5 since Colorado hasn't seen much of Sabathia. With Ellsbury questionable and the Yankees pen struggling (Colorado's pen has been as well) I think you could convince me to take the Rockies RL.
Royals/Mets: We were waiting to bet on Duffy and did last week, but it was too late. Syndergaard has been getting a lot of run support lately - and he TOO has had a few 100+ pitch games, the last being 115. Neither team has been hitting - so we've got to think this stays under given the Royals also have no DH. Lean Mets, but certainly not worth -200 so if it truly is low scoring I've got to look at the Royals RL.
Brewers/A's: Don't know what to make of Mengden yet - lots of pitches for a young kid, but he does strike people out and the Brewers DO strike out. Guerra is feast or famine - tough to read. Give the Brewers have lost 7 of their last 8, it makes it tough to get behind them, and neither pen has been solid, maybe over although this certainly isn't the best venue for that, and the early returns are mostly on the under.
D-Backs/Toronto: Arizona has got some great pitching lately, so I'd think about the under here - but my hesitation might be that some of that "great pitching" was against the Phillies. It's still hard to fade winning, and the D-Backs are winning right now. Happ is off an impressive outing - against the Phillies. I don't trust Ray enough to bet on, Toronto has not been hitting, and I don't trust their bullpen to close things out. I don't think Happ is worth -170 here nor can I take the Jays RL. Probably better games - but at 9.5 I certainly like the under better than a side.
Wednesday's MLB Game of the Day: Nationals at Dodgers
By Covers.com
Washington Nationals at Los Angeles Dodgers (A: +110, H: -130, Total: 7.5)
The Los Angeles Dodgers are on a roll and look to win for the eighth time in the past nine games when they close a three-game set against the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. Los Angeles has won five consecutive games, the latest coming Tuesday when catcher Yasmani Grandal slugged a three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth inning as the Dodgers rallied for a 3-2 victory.
The Nationals have scored just nine runs while matching a season-worst with four consecutive losses, the first two defeats coming against the lowly San Diego Padres. Washington right fielder Bryce Harper hit an opposite-field homer in Tuesday's contest, just his second blast in the month of June. Los Angeles right fielder Yasiel Puig (hamstring) was activated from the disabled list, went 1-for-3 and indicated that he's ready to turn around a season that has him batting just .238 with five homers and 20 RBIs. "I'm working hard with the bat. I've always worked hard," Puig told reporters. "I hope that this second half I will do a lot better. It's been hard watching from home or from the minor leagues and not being able to help my team."
INJURY REPORT:
Nationals - RP J. Papelbon (15-Day DL, ribs).
Dodgers - RP H. Ryu (15-Day DL, shoulder), RF A. Ethier (Late June, shin).
WEATHER REPORT: As usual, it is expected to be a beautiful evening for baseball in Los Angeles. Clear shies, temperatures in the 80's, a 2 percent chance of rain, and a gentle 5 mph breeze blowing out to center field.
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Joe Ross (6-4, 3.13 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Julio Urias (0-2, 4.50)
Ross has won three consecutive decisions since suffering through a four-start losing skid. He has pitched well on the road with a 4-2 mark and 2.80 ERA in eight outings. Ross lost his lone outing against the Dodgers on Aug. 11 when he was touched up for five runs and six hits in 4 2/3 innings as Puig went 2-for-3 with five RBIs — a two-run homer and three-run triple.
Urias will make at least one more start for the Dodgers after this outing before likely being moved to the bullpen to decrease the number of innings he pitches this season. The 19-year-old struck out a career-best eight while blanking the Milwaukee Brewers on five hits over five innings in his last turn. Urias, who a 1.88 ERA over his last three outings, has fanned 29 batters in 22 innings.
TRENDS:
* Nationals are 0-4 in their last 4 road games.
* Nationals are 5-0 in Ross' last 5 starts.
* Dodgers are 7-0 in their last 7 vs. National League East.
* Over is 17-4-1 in Nationals last 22 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
* Under is 8-2 in Dodgers last 10 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in Los Angeles.
CONSENSUS: Early Covers wagering is on the Joe Ross and the road underdog Washington Nationals with 59 percent of the action. Over 7.5 is leading the way in totals picks at a rate of 57 percent.